Movement Ecology and Behavior of Ribbon and Spotted Seals in the Bering Sea, 2024

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Sampling and Deployment Summary

Predicted Movements

Each seal is released with a bio-logger that provides regular updates on movement and behavior. For each seal, the observed locations are used to fit a predicted path. Both the predicted track (line) and the observed bio-logger locations (points) are shown on the map. The ship track of the R/V Norseman II is shown in black and can be toggled on/off using the layer selector in the upper left corner.

Because some of the tracks span the 180 anti-meridian, you may need to re-center and zoom the map to the Bering Sea region.

Haul-out Behavior

Each of the bio-loggers are programmed to report the percentage of time the device was dry for each hour. For example, a seal that was hauled out for an entire hour would report as 100% dry. The hours are shown as UTC hours. To adjust for apparent solar noon, subtract approximately 12 hours.

Dive Behavior

The bio-loggers that are attached to the hair of the nape or head of seals are capable of determining depth through a pressure transducer. This allows for a variety of data products that describe the dive behavior of seals.

Time At Depth from Cumulative Distribution

Here, dive behavior is described as proportion of time at given depths. This relatively new data product transmits a cumulative distribution of time at depth for each 2 hour summary period. The distribution adjusts to accomodate different maximum depths and darker red areas indicate depths where the seal is choosing to spend more time. The grey blocks above indicate proportion of time dry within the summary period.

Time At Depth from Histogram Bins

Two bio-loggers deployed on sub-adult spotted seals (SPENO: PL2024_1003, PL2024_1017) were programmed to collect time at depth information based on pre-defined histogram bins. The depth range encompassed by each bin is courser than with the above cumulative distribution data.

Dive Behavior Records

The two sub-adult spotted seals (SPENO: PL2024_1003, PL2024_1017) were also programmed to provide more detailed information regarding individual dives. For each dive, the start time, end time, and maximum depth are recorded. The subsequent post-dive interval at the surface is also recorded. This is bundled into 5 consecutive dive + post-dive intervals. In addition to providing information on dive depths and dive frequency we can also explore the overall distribution of dive duration.

Oceanographic Temperature Profiles

Approximately two times per day, the bio-loggers will record a temperature profile upcast from the deepest dive during a two hour summary period. This provides unique insight into the oceanography and structure of the water these seals are foraging in.

Satellite Transmissions

This figure provides some diagnostic and performance insights to tag deployments and attachment locations.